I hold children's books near and dear to my heart. This has a lot to do with the fact that I am studying to become a teacher. I've been working with kids ever since I was a kid, so as you can imagine, I have come across many children's books in my time. Here recently, I've come across a few books that I read myself when I was in elementary school, and I've found that I relate well with the stories. Here's a list of five in particular that have passed my way in the last few weeks that I have a connection with:

1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

This is a story all about a tree and a little boy. In this story the tree gives everything she has to the young boy because she loves him. She keeps giving and giving until she has nothing but a stump to offer. This is how I am. As an adult I have found that I will give all I have if it means helping those that I love, even if they give me nothing in return. It's just the type of person I am. I have a giving spirit.

2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

I bet you can guess where this is going. In this popular children's story, there is a caterpillar that eats everything in his path. This is especially relevant to me when I am stressed, and as a young adult, I am in constant need of food or a snack to eat throughout my day. All of my money lately has gone to Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, so, you're welcome for the business Chick-Fil-A and Taco Bell.

3. Julie B. Jones by Barbara Park

Oh, Julie B. Jones, how I relate to you so well. In the Junie B. Jones stories, Barabara Parks paints the picture of a joyful, excited, loving life little girl... who everyone has issues with because they think she's obnoxious and loud. As much as I hate to admit it, that that's what it's like for me — it is. I am an overexcited person, which a lot of people don't like, and if I have to hear someone tell me to calm down one more time, I might lose it.

4. Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus by Mo Willems

In this story, the pigeon is testy, and quite the manipulator. The pigeon is doing all he can to get the reader to let the pigeon drive the bus. This is me. When I want something, I will do all I can to get it. I don't see it as being annoying, I see it as being a go-getter, so, yeah.

5. Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

This is the classic story about two friends who are very different. Toad is a worrier, while Frog is laid back. They get into a lot of different scenarios, yet despite their differing views, they always stay friends. This scenario is relevant with many of my friendships now. When you're younger it's easy to be friends with people that are just like you, but the older you get, the more complicated life becomes. We stop fitting a mold and needing to find people like ourselves. I have made many friendships with people I could never imagined being close to.

Children's books, I have found, are still relevant to us as adults, and in a different way. When we read as children, we don't always think about the messages behind the stories, but they're there. I encourage you to find books from your childhood and see how they line up with your life now